
Anfield Index
·25 September 2025
Liverpool drawn against Premier League rivals in Carabao Cup draw

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Yahoo sportsAnfield Index
·25 September 2025
The Carabao Cup fourth-round draw has delivered several heavyweight encounters, with Liverpool set to face Crystal Palace in one of the standout ties. The clash promises intrigue, not least as both clubs seek momentum in a competition that often balances opportunity for silverware with squad rotation.
Holders Newcastle United will welcome Tottenham Hotspur in a fixture brimming with narrative. It was only two years ago that the sides met in the League Cup final, a match Newcastle edged 2-1 at Wembley to secure their first domestic trophy in decades. This time, Tottenham arrive under new leadership and in search of progress, while Newcastle look to defend their crown with a squad that has grown in depth and quality.
Elsewhere in the draw, Arsenal will take on Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s side have often used the competition to test younger talents, though Brighton’s own record in recent years suggests this fixture could be more competitive than it first appears.
Chelsea, meanwhile, face a tricky assignment away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Midlands side have developed a reputation for causing problems against higher-ranked opponents, and Stamford Bridge’s project under its new regime will be tested at Molineux.
For the first time in League Cup history, three Welsh clubs have reached the fourth round. Wrexham will host Cardiff in an all-Welsh tie that is certain to capture the imagination, while Swansea City have been rewarded with a home draw against Manchester City. The holders of multiple domestic cups, City rarely underestimate these fixtures, though Swansea will hope to harness home advantage and the occasion itself.
League Two Grimsby Town, who stunned Manchester United earlier in the competition, now welcome Brentford to Blundell Park. It is a tie that epitomises the magic of the League Cup, where lower-league clubs can dream of giant-killing once again. Wycombe Wanderers also have the chance to test themselves, as they host Premier League outfit Fulham.
The fourth round arrives at a critical stage in the season, with clubs juggling domestic and European commitments. For Liverpool, a meeting with Crystal Palace offers both risk and reward: progression brings them closer to Wembley, while any slip could reignite debate about squad priorities.
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